32 | Levy money can make big difference Phil Weir, Northern North Island Director for Board of Beef + Lamb, and the New Zealand Meat Board believes the $30 million collected in levies can make a substantial difference to farmers by investing in areas that individual farmers cannot because of scale or market conditions. Richard Loader Phil and Megan Weir farm in the small rural community of Te Pahu, on the slopes of Mt Pirongia, west Waikato, just a short 30- minute drive to Hamilton. The farm totals about 250 hectares, of which 30 hectares is permanently retired bush, including 7.3 hectares in QEII covenant. The balance has been extensively planted in a variety of natives over a number of years. A mix of contours from flat to rolling to steeper hill country, the farm has been in Megan’s family for three generations. Megan and Phil have been on the farm for the last seven years, and bought it last year following family succession planning. “Megan and I were both lucky enough to grow up on farms and we’re now lucky enough to have our own children grow up on a farm as well,” says Phil. “Distilled right back, what we like about farming is the opportunity to grow something RURAL PEOPLE » Phil and Megan Weir yourself. There’s a lot of autonomy over what you do, and if we work hard and use best practice we can continuously improve what we do. We also get the opportunity to enjoy our native and other retired areas, as well as the rye grass and clover the bulls graze on.” The Weirs currently operate a beef trading business, that includes 100% dairy beef, which is not surprising given the farm is located in heartland dairy country. There is about 550 - 600 cattle on farm, at various ages, and predominantly Friesian bulls, with a few white face steers. “We procure 100 kilo dairy beef calves relatively easily, both in December and again in July, and take those calves through to somewhere between 560 and 650 kilos, when we sell them to Greenlea Premier Meats in Hamilton.” The farm also includes a very small Romney flock, with some Coopworth, put to a South Suffolk ram, from which 550 lambs are sold each year to Te Kuiti Meats. “Until recently the flock has been all terminal, but our nine year old son has got quite into the idea of sheep farming, so we have bought a few Romney rams to introduce him to the concept of genetics, recording and breeding, and will breed our own replacements.” While Megan is an LIC scientist, Phil does some farm consulting and governance, supported by an 8.00am to 3.00pm general hand who helps keep the farm operation on track. Phil was elected as the Northern North Island Director for Board of Beef + Lamb, and the New Zealand Meat Board at its AGM in March this year. He says about $30 million is collected each year in levies from beef and sheep farmers, money which he believes can make a significant difference to farmers by investing in areas that individual farmers cannot because of scale or market conditions. “I enjoy learning, but I also like seeing other people learn and grow, and there’s a lot that Beef + Lamb can do to support farmers to do that, and make their businesses more profitable, resilient and sustainable. I hope my experience can assist with that, and ensure that the levies are appropriately spent to benefit farmers now and over the next ten years.” “I enjoy learning, but I also like seeing other people learn and grow, and there’s a lot that Beef + Lamb can do to support farmers to do that, and make their businesses more profitable, resilient and sustainable. I hope my experience can assist with that, and ensure that the levies are appropriately spent to benefit farmers now and over the next ten years.” Purebred- so you get the hybrid vigour Ian Lawrence 022 363 3943 Michael Lawrence 027 279 8517 Proudly supplying Phil, Megan & family with their choice in sires for over 20 years. Founded in 1977, supplying genetics all over the North Island. BRAEWOOD SOUTH SUFFOLKS Give us a call to see howwe could help you and organise to view the flock Proudly Supporting and congratulating Phil Weir SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY 100KG CALVES FOR THE BEEF MARKET Mark 027 474 6917 or Pete 027 433 1440 info@bocockscalfrearing.com
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